The intricate relationship between humans and the environment is prominently reflected through land use and land cover (LULC) patterns. Land use represents the human utilisation of natural resources for agriculture, settlement, industry, and recreation, reflecting socio-economic and cultural practices. Land cover, in contrast, describes the observable physical characteristics of the Earth's surface, including vegetation, water bodies, bare soil, and artificial structures. In recent decades, LULC in southeastern Benue State, Nigeria, has undergone significant transformations driven by population growth, urbanisation, agricultural expansion, and socio-economic development. These changes have influenced settlement patterns, leading to the conversion of agricultural and forested land into built-up areas, with implications for ecosystem services, habitat fragmentation, and biodiversity. Understanding these dynamics is critical for sustainable land management and planning in the region.
Terfa Daniel Aondohemba (Wed,) studied this question.